DEAD POETS SOCIETY 11 страница

CHARLIE

What did she say? I know she had to say

something.

PITTS

Come here, Knox.

KNOX

Seize the day!

INT. KEATING'S CLASSROOM - DAY

Keating walks from the front of the classroom to Neil's desk. Neil

is the only student remaining in the class.

KEATING

Did you talk to your father?

NEIL

Uh, he didn't like it one bit, but at

least he's letting me stay in the play.

He won't be able to make, make it. He's

in Chicago. But, uh, I think he's gonna

let me stay with acting.

KEATING

Really? You told him what you told me?

NEIL

Yeah. He wasn't happy. But he'll be gone

at least four days. I don't think he'll

make the show, but I think he'll let me

stay with it. " Keep up the school work. "

Thanks.

Neil picks up his books and leaves.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

The boys are grooming themselves in front of the mirrors.

PITTS

Beautiful baby.

MEEKS

Beautiful baby. Henley Hall, here I

come.

CAMERON

Excuse me, just a moment. Yes. You're so

cute.

Cameron runs a comb through his hair and Todd tries to mess it up.

CAMERON

Come on, Todd. I'm trying to fix

this.

TODD

Come on, Nuwanda. You're gonna miss

Neil's entrance.

PITTS

He said something about getting red

before we left.

CAMERON

Getting red? What does that mean?

PITTS

I, uh-- Well, you know Charlie.

One of the stalls opens and Charlie's hand emerges, holding a small

brush and a bottle of red paint.

CAMERON

So, Charlie, what's this " getting red"

bit?

Charlie opens his unbuttoned shirt to show a large red lightning bolt

painted down his chest.

TODD

W-What is that?

CHARLIE

It's an Indian warrior symbol for

virility. Makes me feel potent, like it

can drive girls crazy.

Charlie buttons up his shirt as everyone prepares to leave.

TODD

Oh, come on, Charlie. The girls are

waiting.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

The boys are walking down the hall to leave. Cameron stops and stares.

The other boys notice and stop as well. Charlie softly whistles at Chris standing by the door. Knox stares at her in surprise

KNOX

Chris.

Knox leaves the other boys to join her.

KNOX

What are you doing here?

KEATING (O. S. )

Gentlemen, let's go.

KNOX

Go ahead, guys. I'll catch up.

CHARLIE

Yeah, come on, guys.

Charlie hustles the boys away. Meeks remains staring at her. Charlie

returns to drag him away.

KNOX

Chris, you can't be in here. I-If they

catch you, we're both gonna be in big

trouble.

CHRIS

Oh, but it's fine--

Knox shushes her and leads her out the door.

EXT. CAMPUS - NIGHT

Snow is lightly falling as Chris and Knox walk outside.

CHRIS

It's fine for you to come barging into

my school and make a complete fool out

of me?

KNOX

I didn't mean to make a fool out of you.

CHRIS

Well, you did. Chet found out. And it

took everything I could do to keep him

from coming here and killing you. Knox,

you have got to stop this stuff.

KNOX

I can't, Chris. I love you.

CHRIS

Knox, you say that over and over. You

don't, you don't even know me.

Keating calls out from a nearby car.

KEATING

Will you be joining us, Mr. Overstreet?

KNOX

Go ahead, Captain. I'll walk.

CHRIS

Knox, Knox, it just so happens that I

could care less about you?

KNOX

Then you wouldn't be here warning me

about Chet.

CHRIS

I have to go. I'm gonna be late for the

play.

KNOX

Are you going with him?

CHRIS

(laughs)

Chet? To a play? Are you kidding?

KNOX

Then come with me.

CHRIS

Knox, you are so infuriating.

KNOX

Come on, Chris. Just give me one chance.

If you don't like me after tonight, I'll

stay away forever.

CHRIS

Uh-huh.

KNOX

I promise. Dead Poets Honor. You come

with me tonight. And then, if you don't

want to see me again, I swear I'll bow

out.

CHRIS

You know what would happen if Chet found

out?

KNOX

He won't know anything. We'll sit in the

back and sneak away as soon as it's

over.

CHRIS

And I suppose you would promise that

this would be the end of it.

KNOX

Dead Poets Honor.

CHRIS

What is that?

KNOX

My word.

Chris walks away from him and then turns to face him.

CHRIS

You are so infuriating.

Chris gestures for Knox to follow her. Charlie does a little

twirl as he joins her and puts his arm around her. They walk away.

INT. THEATER - NIGHT

The audience is packed. The stage is set up to resemble a forest and

lights dance about it. From behind a bush, Neil emerges, wearing a

crown of twigs and berries and twigs on his hands. In the audience,

Charlie emerges from his seat, all excited.

CHARLIE

Hey, there he is! Hey, hey.

Cameron shoves him back into his seat.

KEATING

Shh, boys.

On stage, Neil hides behind a tree as a girl emerges, similarly clad,

but with flowers in her hair. Neil sneaks over to the girl.

FAIRY

Either I mistake your shape and making

quite,

Or else you are that shrewd and knavish

sprite

Call'd Robin Goodfellow:

PUCK

Thou speak'st aright;

In the audience, Chris and Knox enter and are shown to seats.

PUCK

I am that merry wanderer of the night.

I jest to Oberon and make him smile

When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile,

Puck makes horse sounds and the audience laughs.

PUCK

Neighing in likeness of a filly foal:

And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,

In very likeness of a roasted crab,

And when she drinks, against her lips I

bob

And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale.

The wisest aunt, telling the saddest

tale,

In the audience, Charlie leans over towards Keating.

CHARLIE

(whispering)

He's good. He's really good.

Keating gives a thumbs up.

PUCK

Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh

me;

Then slip I from her bum, down topples

she,

And " tailor" cries, and falls into a

cough;

And then the whole quire hold their hips

and laugh,

And waxen in their mirth and neeze and

swear

A merrier hour was never wasted there.

But, room, Fairy! here comes Oberon.

FAIRY

And here my mistress. Would that he were

gone!

The two actors hide behind the trees, lifting their twig covered

hands to hide themselves.

INT. THEATER - NIGHT

Two other actors are onstage.

LYSANDER

Then by your side no bed-room me deny;

For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie

HERMIA

Lysander riddles very prettily:

Now much beshrew my manners and my

pride,

If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied.

But, gentle friend, for love and

courtesy

Lie further off; in human modesty,

Such separation as may well be said

Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid,

and, good night, sweet friend:

Thy love ne'er alter till thy sweet life

end!

Neil is watching the actors from the wing. He glances out at the audience and sees his father enter the back of the theater. Neil backs away into the shadows.

LYSANDER

Amen, amen, to that fair prayer, say I;

The director breaks Neil out of his thoughts.

DIRECTOR

Neil. That's your cue, Neil. Come on,

Neil. Here's your crown. Let's go.

Neil reluctantly replaces his crown and follows her.

INT. THEATER - NIGHT

On stage, Neil collects dew in a leaf and holds it over his head while

fairies dance about. In the audience, Knox takes Chris' hand in his.

INT. THEATER - NIGHT

The stage is dark. A spotlight comes on to reveal Neil with his back to the audience. He slowly turns around to face the audience and his father.

PUCK

If we shadows have offended,

Neil directs his eyes at his father, who stills stands at the back

of the theater.

PUCK

Think but this, and all is mended,

That you have but slumber'd here

While these visions did appear.

And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,

Gentles, do not reprehend:

If you pardon, we will mend:

And, as I am an honest Puck,

If we have unearned luck

Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,

We will make amends ere long;

Else the Puck a liar call;

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends,

And Robin shall restore amends.

Neil backs away and the curtains close as the audience begins to

applaud enthusiastically. Behind the curtain numerous people

congratulate Neil as they line up for the curtain call. The curtains

open. Charlie and the other boys rise to their feet, followed quickly

by the rest of the audience. The actors bow to continued applause. The

actors push Neil forward and he takes a second bow.

BOYS

Yawp!

KNOX

Yeah, Neil!

The curtain closes again and Neil turns around, letting out an

excited sigh. Various actors continue to congratulate him. Neil

lets out a yell as he walks offstage. In the audience, while others

are leaving, Mr. Perry approaches a woman.

MR. PERRY

Excuse me, I'm Neil's father. I need to

see him.

Backstage, the woman approaches Neil.

WOMAN

Neil, Your father. He's-

Neil nods in agreement.

ACTOR

What did you think?

WOMAN

Really I thought you were all just

wonderful!

Neil emerges from the curtains, carrying his costume. The theater is

nearly empty now, except for Mr. Perry standing at the back. Neil

smiles at him but the smile quickly disappears.

EXT. THEATER - NIGHT

Mr. Perry pushes his way through the crowd of people, with Neil close

behind.

MR. PERRY

Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

The boys notice Neil and try to dtop him to talk.

CHARLIE

Neil, Neil, you were great.

NEIL

I can't, guys.

TODD

Neil! Neil!

Outside of the crowd, Keating manages to catch up to Neil. He takes

hold of Neil's coat.

KEATING

Neil. Neil. You have the gift. What a

performance You left even me speechless.

You have to stay with-

Mr. Perry returns from his car and shoves Neil aside.

MR. PERRY